Thrilling Tales of Modern Men

Cover Image: Thrilling Tales of Modern Men

An addictive, unpredictable, darkly hilarious collection of stories from Danny McBride - the beloved creator and star of The Righteous Gemstones and Eastbound & Down.

These McBride men more than drink their own Kool-Aid, they swig it to survive. On fever quests to save face and make their myth flesh, they hilariously remind us that, if you ain’t for you, who is? - MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY

Just as demented, hilarious, human, and as inspired as all of his work, but, somehow, even better. - JUDD APATOW

There are many sides to Danny McBride: He’s starred as the iconic character Kenny Powers in the cult classic HBO show Eastbound & Down, a series he also wrote and created - just as he did with Vice Principals and The Righteous Gemstones. He’s produced horror films (Halloween) and starred in sci-fi (Alien: Covenant). And ever since he was young, he’s been writing short fiction.

An amateur magician gets in way over his head with a deadly stunt in a local mall. A washed-up sitcom actor takes revenge on the coyote who killed his dog. Two young runaways decide to part ways, but not before embarking on one last big adventure.

Hilarious, razor-sharp, unexpectedly emotional, and full of wild twists and turns, the stories in Thrilling Tales of Modern Men are like nothing else. And yet they have one thing in common - each probes the fragile masculinity that has become an inescapable part of modern American culture. In this audacious and unforgettable debut collection, McBride redefines the tale of the modern man.

AUDIO TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Illusionist, read by the author

RoboCare™, read by John Goodman and Edi Patterson

The Vicious Kind, read by Eric André

The Book Burner, narration by the author, with Shea Whigham as Dwayne, Billy Crudup as Marcus Mel, Cassidy Freeman as Linda, Sam Rockwell as Tony Riggs, Adam Devine as Brendan, John Goodman as the Professor and Grocery Store Manager, Edi Patterson as the Student, G-Unit and Waitress, and Eric André as Taxi Driver, Publishing Executives, and Reporters

The Institute of Men, read by Shane Gillis

Last Night of the Runaway Adventure, read by Sturgill Simpson

Gerald’s Wife, read by Edi Patterson

Mr. Liptrapp’s Sword, read by Shea Whigham

Fun Run, read by Adam Devine

Dad’s Way: A Hilarious ’90s Sitcom, read by Walton Goggins